NPR

Khalid's Timeless Pop Anthems For American Teens

On his breakthrough debut album, American Teen, Khalid Robinson proves that the emotional turbulence of youth can be timeless. Michel Martin talks to him and his biggest influence: his mom.
Khalid's debut album, <em>American Teen</em>, explores timeless themes of love and loss.

Are you still trying to understand that intense first love? Are you grounded from messing up your mom's car? Are you passionate about music that makes it all worthwhile? If so, then maybe you're a teenager looking for an anthem.

Enter Khalid Robinson with his debut album, American Teen, which he wrote when he was a senior in high school. He has been called a pop prodigy by Rolling Stone and counts people like among his fans. While his lyrics are very much of the moment, the themes he explores — belonging, love, loneliness, loss — are timeless.

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